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Cameron DNA Project
"How To"

 Cameron of Lochiel's Own Website

The Clan Cameron Association of North America is coordinating
the world's first wide-spread study of Cameron DNA,
as it relates to family genealogies

 

It had arrived.  Just a few days earlier I had decided to participate in the Cameron Surname DNA project.  Having a very solid grasp on my family genealogy, especially my direct paternal Cameron line, was a great starting place but I wanted more.  To be able to push back that earliest documented Cameron ancestor and – just perhaps – link up my genealogy with others to our mutual benefit was an enticing reason to become involved.
The entire process of submitting my DNA was rather easy.  Within a short period of time after paying to participate in the project a padded envelope arrived from Family Tree DNA, the group that pioneered the use of DNA testing in the field of genealogy.  Simply opening the envelope was rather exciting.  After all, just how often does one have an opportunity to find their family origins via a new and emerging science?

Within the envelope were the following items:

1)  A re-closable plastic bag that included two small specimen tubes (each containing a clear preservation liquid that would serve to keep my DNA intact on its way back to the testing facility), two “OmniSwab” cheek scrappers (not nearly as ominous as they might sound) and a Release Form.

2)  Three pages of text from Family Tree DNA, welcoming me to the study, citing news excerpts on the program and clearly written instructions on how to collect my DNA.

3)  A padded return envelope, for sending the specimen tubes and Release Form back to Family Tree DNA.  

Jumping right to it, I carefully read the instructions for “specimen collection” and hit a slight snag.  For a viable sample to be collected you must wait at least one hour after eating or drinking to proceed with the check scraping.  As such, one hour passed and I was finally ready to enter the field of genetic genealogy!

As noted in the instructions, I removed the check scrapper from its protective wrapper.  It is a thin 6” disposable plastic device, much like a “Q-Tip,” but with an unique rippled cotton pad at one end.  The next step was to place the scrapper into my mouth and “forcefully” scrape the cotton end against the inside of one cheek for up to 60 seconds.  I should make mention that one should not take this specific instruction to an extreme.  While it is important to perform an adequate scrape, to obtain viable DNA, overly aggressive scrapping may cause slight bleeding.  All in all, the procedure was painless.

Removing the scrapper, the next step was to open one of the two small specimen tubes and insert the “head” of the scrapper.  There is a convenient plunger on the end of the scrapper that ejects the rippled cotton pad into the tube’s fluid.  As per the instructions, the tube must have its cap securely replaced, to avoid the loss of fluid during transport back to Family Tree DNA.

After performing the first scrape, a second sample is also required, to insure accuracy.  They recommend performing the second scrape eight hours later and I used the other cheek to supply a sample.  This is advisable, especially if you went overboard and were too forceful in your first scrapping. 
There is still the Release Form to consider.  This document gives Family Tree DNA permission to make your e-mail address available to other participants whose paternal DNA results match yours.  Within the Cameron Surname Project it is recommended that this optional form is completed and returned with your samples.  Only by sharing our results amongst one another may we hope to discover more about our Cameron family line.  The Clan Cameron Association will also be augmenting the results with information on the earliest known Cameron ancestor for each participant.  As the participants become more and more involved with the project, it is hoped that these genetic family lines will begin to intersect with one another. 

Once both samples are safely in their tubes, it’s time to send them back to Family Tree DNA.  While the instructions indicated that the samples should be kept at room temperature, they also indicated that they would not be harmed by winter or summer temperatures when sent by regular mail.  Nevertheless, it is advisable to send your samples back via the mail drop within a post office, not in an outdoor mail box.  That will ensure your samples are kept at the recommended temperature.

There we have it.  The day after receiving my test packet the specimens were collected and on their way back for processing.  What will the results be?  How will this benefit my search for Cameron genealogy?  That remains to be seen.  Only with additional participants will this project begin to yield results, so I encourage anyone with the Cameron surname to “take the plunge” and join in!